Mobile, Ala. — It wasn't too long ago that a 5-foot-8, 180-pound running back or receiver wouldn't get so much as a second look from National Football League scouts at a showcase event like the Senior Bowl.

Now they have everyone wanting to see more.

Thanks to the success of undersized players like DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles and Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens, players like Dexter McCluster and Jacoby Ford are being looked at hard by several teams, including the Green Bay Packers.

"Definitely they've helped us," said McCluster, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound running back from Ole Miss. "They're having great success in the league, especially (Jackson). He's just showing his vision, his speed, and he's a playmaker. If you're a playmaker, they'll find a spot for you."

It's that ability to make plays with just a touch of the ball that makes McCluster and Ford, the 5-8, 181-pound receiver from Clemson, so wanted by NFL teams.

"Well, they're super fast," said Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz, a former defensive coordinator. "There's a lot of things that you can do scheme-wise. Speed is not one of them.

"Touchdowns in the NFL are hard to come by. When you have players that can score, you're going to find a way to get the ball in their hands."

Smaller players who are also threats on special teams are big assets, according to Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano.

"Finding a returner in this league, is a major, major plus, it really is," Sparano said. "When you find a player like that, he turns a game around like that.

"For a smaller player, the returnability, the amount of jobs he can do, maybe as a receiver in the Wildcat package, some flexibility that way, you can start to count touches in your head and say, 'I can get this guy X amount of plays and X amount of touches per game.'"

The Packers have been watching the running backs closely this week, especially guys like McCluster and Ford because they are looking to upgrade their return game. With Will Blackmon no sure thing after knee surgery, and Jordy Nelson having been benched in the playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the Packers are searching for versatile playmakers.

"I can do it all," said McCluster, who has met with the Packers a few times at the Senior Bowl. "I can run the ball, play receiver, go into the slot and return kickoffs and punts. However they want to use me, I'm ready for that."

Tebow making progress

No prospect has been more pored over at the Senior Bowl than former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow of Florida.

Tebow hasn't missed a practice this week despite a case of strep throat.

Going from being primarily a runner in the spread offense, Tebow has had his share of struggles working under center.

"He's gotten better each day," Sparano said. "He's made good progress that way. He's starting to see some things a little different, had a very good one-on-one period today. Really threw the ball well in some man-to-man stuff out there. I've been impressed with what he's done."

Veteran NFL coach Mark Trestman, who is the coach of the CFL Montreal Alouettes, has been tutoring Tebow and said he has the skills to be a starter in the NFL.

"There's no doubt in my mind," Trestman said. "He's got a few things to work on and it's going to be a little bit of a process, but all the skills are there."

Some scouts think Tebow's release takes too much time for the pro level.

"I think there's definitely room for improvement to quicken it, but there are other guys playing in the league that have similar releases," Tebow said.

Packers general manager Ted Thompson said Tebow should be given a chance to develop.

"I've just met him once, but from everything that I see, he's a winner first, he's a tremendous leader, and he's highly motivated. And those things lead to good things and he's always won," Thompson said. "I think he should have a chance to play. There's a lot of people that discount him, but that might be a little bit premature."